2010 Kia Rondo

The defect

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

The risk

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Kia Motors Corporation · up to 980,377 vehicles across all model years covered

Still open audit query · opened November 17, 2023

the hydraulic brakes

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Closed defect petition · opened September 12, 2022 · closed December 12, 2023

the engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

crash · 30,312 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT SLIGHTLY CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,312.

NHTSA complaint 10759520. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FIRST PROBLEM, WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION THE ECS LIGHT TURNS ON AND WHEN WHILE DRIVING MY KIA RONDO FEELS UNSTABLE LIKE I AM GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STIRRING WHEEL. SECOND PROBLEM, WHEN EVER IT RAINS MY KIA WILL STALL WHILE IN MOTION, LOOSE POWER, ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON AND STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF ANY STREETS, HIGHWAYS OR FREEWAYS AND THE STEERING WHEEL GET SO HARD TO TURN THE CAR TO A SAFETY PLACE.

NHTSA complaint 11290187. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

85,900 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS, THE BATTERY, ESC, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE STEERING LOST POWER. ALSO, THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,900.

NHTSA complaint 11256715. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

110,000 miles

DURING RAIN, I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY UP TO A STOP LIGHT. THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER, A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND THEN THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP FOR A FEW SECONDS. I REGAINED THE ABILITY TO TURN THE CAR, PULLED IT OFF THE ROAD AND THE SCREECHING CONTINUED FOR ANOTHER MINUTE OR TWO. IT STOPPED WHEN I PARKED MY CAR. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AFTER I HAD IT TOWED.

NHTSA complaint 11016301. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

100,000 miles

LOCKS WORK VERY SPORADICALLY WITH BOTH THE REMOTE AND LOCK BUTTON IN THE CAR. IT AFFECTS ALL DOORS EXCEPT THE TAILGATE. DRIVER WINDOW ALSO HAS DIFFICULTY GOING DOWN SPORADICALLY.

NHTSA complaint 11016302. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

WE CANNOT MOVE THE SHIFTER FROM PARK TO DRIVE. AND WE HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS ! THE MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: SC098UN THE RECALL # 13V114000 RECALL CAMPAIGN # SC098 THEY SAYS ITS A STOP LAMP SWITCH ?

NHTSA complaint 10924687. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.